Tag Archives: CNC

CNC Build, Day 13, part 2 – First sawdust

I got a chance to install the control software (Mach3) and try out the machine tonight. It went about as well as I expected. I got all 3 axes to jog, but I need to tune the step size, because … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 13 – Finished!

I came to the machine today knowing that I just had a few last pieces to complete before the machine was done. I drilled the Z-axis motor mounts (no measuring required — I just taped them to an already-complete motor … Continue reading

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CNC Build Day 12 – Final cuts

I borrowed a mouse from my father-in-law, and worked on cleaning up the CNC PC. It didn’t really go all that well, but I do have a working mouse. I also checked the third critical measurement again, and cut the … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 11 – back in the saddle

I got a good solid evening in today. I decided to drill the holes to attach the Y-axis rail, because it was bothering me. That was pretty easy, although I busted a 1/8″ drill bit. Probably needed a new one … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 9 – under the gun

I realized last night that if I got the “wood parts” of the CNC machine up and running, I would still need to have the “electronic” parts working. I also realized that I am essentially out of time before the … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 8 – Axes, baby!

With the “first critical measurement” in the bag, my way forward was clear tonight. First thing, cut the Y-axis pieces to the correct length. Then, lay out all the measurements. By the way, the Y-table pieces have the most drill … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 7 – First critical measurement

The parts arrived today (both the electronics, on time, and the hardware, 3 days late). Life’s good! In anticipation of having BRAs, I borrowed 4 pipe clamps from my friend John (thank you!) on the way home. I spent the … Continue reading

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CNC Build, Day 6 – two showers

I got a lot of work done today, despite being at a “stopping point”. I started the day by chamfering the remaining 3 edges of the X-table. Then I reset the chamfer bit, and chamfered the Y-“table”. I was going … Continue reading

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CNC build, day 5 – things to do while waiting for parts

OK, it’s not like I have nothing that can be done while I’m waiting for the parts to arrive. I just have to go off-script a little and find stuff later in the build that is independent. So I went … Continue reading

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CNC build – update

The hardware did not show up today. Very irritating. I decided to bite the bullet and buy a “laminate trimmer” router to be the main cutting blade of the CNC machine. It’s lighter than my “big” router, and narrower, too. … Continue reading

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